50 Halloween Face Paint and Makeup Ideas to Take Your Costume Over the Top
Just a few minutes in front of a mirror and you'll be boo-tiful in no time!
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It's officially time to start planning your Halloween costume. While it can be fun to DIY a whole look, we love to start with face paint! It's an easy and affordable way to next-level your costume. In fact, some of these looks are so good, you can skip the Halloween costume entirely. The good news is, all you need is some paint and a little creativity, so these spooky (and not-so-scary) ideas can come together last-minute.
Whether you're looking for cute Halloween face paint ideas for kids (think pirates and puppies) or more elevated adult looks, there's sure to be an idea on our list for what you're trying to achieve. Because it wouldn't be Halloween without a few scary Halloween face paint ideas, we’ve included vampires with dripping blood, wicked witch makeup ideas, creepy skulls, and more. We've also rounded up some just-plain-pretty options, like a simple doe-eyed deer, as well as funny and cute Halloween face paint ideas, like an adorable cat and a clown (happy clowns only, please!). Short on time? Try quick and easy Halloween face paint ideas like drawing cobwebs around smoky eyes for a quick and impactful DIY transformation.
Explore these best Halloween face paint ideas for adults and kids alike for a fun alternative to a full-on costume. You’ll look boo-tiful in no time!
More Halloween Costume Ideas:
Spider Face Paint
This idea is simple, even for a novice face painter! Simply freehand a spiderweb around the eye, and then add one creepy crawly spider on the cheek. You can cover as much of the face as you want, but we like this simple look.
Black-and-White Jester Face Paint
This is a stunning look for any tween, teen, or adult! Start with a white face paint base, then add exaggerated makeup in black above the eyes, on the lips, and exaggerating the cheeks. Shop your closet for a coordinating costume, or add some fun lace detail to a white dress.
Devil Horns Face Paint
Skip the uncomfortable headband and paint devil horns right on their forehead! This idea takes just a few minutes—start with exaggerated red eyeshadow and outline it with eyebrows, then top them with horns.
Sally Face Paint
The Nightmare Before Christmas is filled with Halloween costume inspiration. We're partial to Sally. You can pair a storebought dress with a yarn wig, then add simple black stitches to the face to complete the look.
Tiny Pumpkin Face Paint
This super subtle look is ideal for teens or adults who have to work on October 31. Paint a tiny orange pumpkin on your cheek, and pair with matching eyeshadow and a festive sweater.
Simple Clown Face Paint
A face paint costume doesn't have to be complicated to make an impact! This simple look pairs a bright red lip with lines across the cheek and a spot of red on the nose to achieve a Pennywise-inspired look. When paired with black-and-white clothing and a bright red wig, it makes for a stunning costume.
Wicked Witch Halloween Face Paint
Yes, a witch may seem kind of basic, but, with the new Wicked movie, it's bound to be trendy this year. This new take on witch makeup really brings the drama. Details to note: Draw thick black lines from the corner of the each eye up across the brow; orangey-red shadow on the upper and lower lids, framed with dark purple; the yellow teeth! (Don't forget to apply makeup to all exposed skin, like hands, neck, and chest.)
Related: Enchanting Witch Costume Ideas
Bat Girl Halloween Face Paint
A simple painted on mask and an all black outfit makes for a low-life bat girl costume. Sprinkle on green glitter powder for some extra shimmer.
Related: 100 More Halloween Costumes for Kids
Happy Clown Halloween Face Paint
Happy clowns only, please! Go bright, bold, and colorful with a rainbow wig and makeup. Pick a different color to highlight each facial area. Here, orange circles for cheeks, yellow for eyebrows, blue around the mouth and chin, and a red dot for the nose. Trace as you wish with black pencil so features really pop.
Zombie Halloween Face Paint
Crazy hair, plain clothes, some black and white makeup magic, and an oversize faux axe are all you need for a unique zombie Halloween look. Start with a base of white, then carefully apply black as shown, doing your best not to let them run together.
Bejeweled Spiderwebs Halloween Face Paint
We've all seen spiderwebs drawn around the eyes for Halloween, but here's what takes this look to the next-level: a light colorful powder base around the eyes and stick-in face gems on the "webs." Stick-on rhinestones come in all hues so you can tailor your color scheme to your overall look.
Frankenstein Halloween Face Paint
For frightening Frankenstein face paint, start with a base of dark green. Trace around eyes, mouth, and lips with black makeup and blend into the green. The finishing touch here is a hand-drawn scar across the forehead, or try temporary tattoos that mimic stitches.
Kid Witch Halloween Face Paint
Maybe it's the black eyes, the blood-red lips, that creepy gray wig, or the all-together combo that puts a chill down your spine! Graphic highlights of white and dark green on the eyebrows, cheeks, and chin bring a sort of modern flair to standard witch makeup.
Tiger Halloween Face Paint
If this isn't the cutest little tiger we've ever seen! Three colors—orange, white, and black—make up this friendly, easier-than-it-looks face paint idea for kids. We suggest using face paint crayons for the white and black.
Sugar Skull Halloween Face Paint
Magical sugar skull designs, most widely seen during Day of the Dead celebrations, symbolize life and death all at once. Meticulous details, especially around the eyes (as seen here), leave room for lots of creativity. This design is limited to black and white makeup, while more elaborate examples incorporate many colors.
Mermaid Halloween Face Paint
The trick to this flawless underwater pattern is to hold fishnet stockings to your face and apply your makeup on top.
Get the tutorial at SheKnows.
Witch Halloween Face Paint
This not-so-good-witch look can work for all ages. An exaggerated smoky eye, dark lipstick, and a drawn-on spider under one eye takes a basic witch costume to the next (spooky) level.
Vampire Halloween Face Paint
It doesn't take much to pull off this kid-friendly vampire look. Create dark circles under the eyes by blending a little black makeup with pink or purple on top of a white base. Draw fangs with black eyeliner or face paint crayons and fill in with white.
Cat Halloween Face Paint
Girls of all ages can take a kitty-cat makeup look from sweet to sassy. This design is somewhere in between, with its heart-shaped nose and black kitty-ear headband.
Monster Halloween Face Paint
Scary monster or friendly monster? Take your pick! Trade in the swirly pattern here for straight edges for a more severe, scary appearance. A black eyeliner pencil would come in super handy for this look.
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